Ramlila ground gets busy ahead of Ramdev fast

A day after yoga guru Baba Ramdev rejected the government's plea to cancel his protest fast, frantic preparations were on at the Ramlila ground on Thursday, with final touches being given to a huge marquee.

The 2.5 lakh square metre waterproof marquee has been erected and massive cut-outs of Ramdev have been put up. About 250 labourers were giving final touches at the protest site.

Jaideep Arya, spokesperson for Ramdev, said the ground had been booked for a month since the yoga guru would be on indefinite hunger strike against corruption and to demand that the government bring back black money hidden by Indians abroad.

The sprawling ground, in the heart of the city, is expected to be swarmed by Ramdev followers Saturday when he launches his hunger strike -- just two months after a similar protest by Gandhian activist Anna Hazare forced the government to work on a tough Lokpal bill to check corruption in high places.

The yoga guru, whose following far exceeds Hazare's, reached the capital around noon on Wednesday and met four union ministers.

But rejecting the government's pleas, Ramdev vowed to go ahead with his hunger strike.

Ramdev has said that the Saturday protest would take place not only in New Delhi but in all the 624 districts across the country.